By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor
If you plan to hunt or fish in Texas this year, it’s time to renew your license. Official 2017-18 Texas hunting and fishing licenses go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 15.
All current licenses, with the exception of year-to-date licenses, expire Aug. 31.
Each year, more than 2.4 million hunting and fishing licenses are issues in Texas alone. The revenue from licenses pays for conservation efforts, recreational opportunities, fish stocking, wildlife management, habitat restoration, public hunting leases, river access permits and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) game wardens.
New licenses can be purchased at 28 TPWD agency field offices, more than 50 state parks, more than 1,700 retailers and at tpwd.texas.gov/buy.
With each new year come updated regulations, as well as season open and close dates to protect Texas wildlife. Information for each species is available in the 2017-18 Outdoor Annual, which can be picked up when purchasing a license, at outdoorannual.com and via TPWD’s Outdoor Annual app in Apple and Google app stores.
Texas hunters also have the opportunity to enter the Big Time Texas Hunts when purchasing a license.
The program offers hunters a chance to win one of nine guided hunting packages with lodging and food included.
Entries are $10 each at retailers and by calling 1-800-895-4248. All entries purchased online at tpwd.texas.gov/buyentry are $1 cheaper at $9 per entry.
TPWD is also giving out three Lifetime Super Combo Licenses this year. Entries are $5 each at retailers and at www.tpwd.texas.gov/licensedraw.
License buyers will also have the opportunity to support two worthwhile causes this year—Hunters for the Hungry and the Veterans Assistance Fund.
Hunters for the Hungry provides hunters the opportunity to donate legally harvested deer to participating processors for local food banks.
Donations to the Veterans Commission’s Veterans Assistance Fund provide grants to veteran service organizations and non-profit charitable institutions that help veterans and their families.
Last year, the first year of the program, license buyers donated $193,903.
Dove season for the North Zone runs Sept. 1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 15-Dec. 31.
Season for the Central Zone runs Sept. 1-Nov. 5 and Dec. 15-Jan. 7.
Dove season for the South Zone begins Sept. 22 and ends Nov. 8. It opens again from Dec. 15-Jan. 21. This year, there are additional days for a special white-winged dove season in the South Zone. They include: Sept. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Special regulations apply.
Quail season statewide is Oct. 28 through Feb. 25.
White-tail deer season in the North Zone starts Nov. 4 and runs through Jan. 7.
In the South Zone, general white-tail deer season runs Nov. 4-Jan. 21.
The special late season in the North Zone is open Jan. 8-21. The special season in the South Zone is Jan. 22-Feb. 4.
The youth only season for white-tailed deer is Oct. 28-29 and Jan. 8-21.
Archery season is Sept. 30-Nov. 3.
A muzzle-loader only season is scheduled for Jan. 8-21.
Additional season dates and regulations can be found in the Outdoor Annual and at https://tpwd.texas.gov/.